Jacqueline Boerner

Because of injuries that have bothered all three medalists from last year's World Championships, the men's figure skating competition, which begins tonight at the Olympic Ice Hall with the original program, is unpredictable. Canada's Kurt Browning appears to be the favorite.

Because of injuries that have bothered all three medalists from last year's World Championships, the men's figure skating competition, which begins tonight at the Olympic Ice Hall with the original program, is unpredictable. Canada's Kurt Browning appears to be the favorite.

When the Berlin Wall fell, and East German citizens learned detailed information about the supposedly classless society their government had created, there was widespread resentment toward athletes because of the privileged lives they led while winning Olympic medals. Sometimes, it went beyond resentment. Figure skater Katarina Witt's jewels were stolen from her apartment. Swimmer Heike Friedrich's car was vandalized.

When the Berlin Wall fell, and East German citizens learned detailed information about the supposedly classless society their government had created, there was widespread resentment toward athletes because of the privileged lives they led while winning Olympic medals. Sometimes, it went beyond resentment. Figure skater Katarina Witt's jewels were stolen from her apartment. Swimmer Heike Friedrich's car was vandalized.

Carole Merle of France, sidelined nearly a year by a knee injury, won a women's super giant slalom Saturday at Meribel, France. Merle was timed in 1 minute 5.05 seconds. Second went to Switzerland's Maria Walliser in 1:05.37, and West Germany's Michaela Gerg took third in 1:06.01. Merle dominated super-G last season until being injured after winning three consecutive races.